In Anaheim, California, anticipation brews as the Red Sox gear up for their home opener against the Orioles on Tuesday, set for 2:10 p.m.
Fenway Park hasn’t been the friendliest ground for them lately, with a subpar record of 39-42 (.481 winning percentage) last season.
Reflecting on their struggles, manager Alex Cora openly acknowledged their home woes since 2019. Despite a promising 2021 season, their overall performance at Fenway has been lackluster, a far cry from their dominant 2018 campaign. The team’s success, Cora emphasized, hinges on reclaiming their home advantage.
Over the past few years, Fenway Park hasn’t felt like the fortress it once was. Cora outlined various areas of improvement, highlighting deficiencies in baserunning, defense, pitching, and hitting. Moreover, he pointed out the need to create a more intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, a factor that’s been lacking in recent seasons.
To address these issues, the Red Sox adopted a new approach during spring training, focusing more on practicing at JetBlue Park, which mimics Fenway’s dimensions. Cora believes these adjustments, coupled with a renewed emphasis on fundamentals, will help set the tone for a successful home stand.
As the Red Sox prepare to kick off their first home stand, consisting of 10 games in 10 days, against the Orioles, Angels, and Guardians, there’s a sense of urgency to turn their fortunes around. Cora stressed the importance of capitalizing on this extended stretch at home and making Fenway Park a daunting prospect for visiting teams once again.
Ultimately, the road to October success begins with a strong showing in the regular season, and for the Red Sox, that journey starts with reclaiming their home-field advantage at Fenway Park.
